Modern Uses of Crossbows

During the late 1930s and the 1940s, archery pioneers began making their own bows and arrows, thus starting the bowhunting initiative that eventually led to the creation of our modern archery hunting seasons. With the development of fiberglass for use in bow limbs and the development of the compound bow in the late 1960s, interest also began in developing a modern crossbow.

In the mid-1970s, wildlife agencies in Ohio and Arkansas began testing short crossbow hunting seasons to measure the impact on hunters and the resources. Based on deer harvest data, the agencies concluded that the modern crossbow was a safe, humane, and user-friendly hunting tool that could provide increased opportunity for bowhunters without a negative impact on the resources or other hunter groups. Because of the positive results, Ohio and Arkansas ultimately expanded their crossbow seasons. Many other states and Canadian provinces also have established crossbow seasons.